Family of Stenhousemuir man recovering from Covid-19 thank 'outstanding' NHS staff

Jim Mackenzie (80) was applauded out of Forth Valley Royal Hospital by doctors and nurses as he was discharged yesterday, little over four weeks after being admitted with a cough and a temperature.

His daughter, Caroline Martin, had called for an ambulance on March 16 due to her dad – a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferer – having what she thought was a "flare-up".

An initial swab test for Covid-19 came back negative, however, a sputum test then revealed Jim had contracted the virus.

The dad-of-three was quickly moved into the Larbert hospital's B12 ward where, according to his daughter, staff could not have been more helpful.

Placed on oxygen for much of the time he spent in hospital, Jim was kept hydrated until his appetite began to pick up.

With her dad now back at home resting up, Caroline said: "He’s recovering which is great but it will take a bit of time for him to regain his strength and mobility.

"It has knocked him sideways but he has the spirit and I’m sure he'll be back to full health soon.

"They've done a great job at Forth Valley Royal and used their expertise to see him out of the ward.

"It’s been a long four weeks for everybody but the care and attention of the doctors and nurses and all the other staff has been outstanding, just to keep us informed.

"I can’t overemphasise how grateful we are, not only for looking after my dad, but for the communication links to the rest of the family. Nothing was too much trouble for them.

"The fact we couldn’t visit made it more awkward for us but they kept us informed."

Jim, a former Grangemouth resident, was taken home by ambulance yesterday having been given a supportive care package which will see occupational therapists call in three times a day for four weeks.

Caroline, who is able to speak with her dad via phone and an iPad, said: “It’s very much about occupational health coming in to support him to get his mobility back and his stamina back up again.

“They’ll be there to help with making sure he’s fed but he’s encouraged to do that himself, which is right.

“We as a family are keen to spread the positive message of our experience.

“All too often it’s negativity we see in the media and particularly for people in my dad’s age group who are more vulnerable.

“Through the care and expertise of the nursing staff, he’s now well on the road to recovery.

“I’d like to thank the nursing staff for keeping him motivated when he was in isolation.

“It’s about their skills in a medical arena and keeping spirits up by connecting with patients – and having that rapport and communication with the family standing on the outside concerned about what’s going on on the inside.”

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